How to Have the Healthiest Vacation Ever

Are you ready to hit the road this summer? If so, you’ll have plenty of company! Millions of Americans have travel plans in the coming months. But as you are planning your itineraries and packing your bags, you might tend to forget that traveling can also mean stomach bugs, sunburns and airborne illnesses, among other things . . . all of which can spoil all of the fun and adventures. We’re here to help! Keep reading for some helpful tips to ensure you have the bet summer vacation ever!

Vacation Tips and Tricks
If you have a medical condition, ask your doctor for a formal letter that details your medical history and lists all of your current medications. In case of a crisis, you may want to wear a medical I.D. tag or bracelet to help others figure out what’s wrong and how best to help you. If you require the use of an inhaler or use a controlled substance to treat a health problem, be sure your doctor’s letter explains why such devices or medications are needed.

To avoid losing all of your medication if your bag is lost or stolen, pack a full supply of your meds in a carry-on bag and another full supply in checked luggage. Also, don’t take any new medications while on your trip, just in case you experience any side effects that you don’t know how to manage.

Are your immunizations current? Check with your travel agent or the tourism board for your destination to determine if you’ll need hepatitis A, hepatitis B, or other immunizations. Depending on your destination, you may also need anti-malarial drugs.

If you’re traveling by plane, beware of edema, a swelling of the feet and ankles that can occur among people who’ve been on flights lasting six hours or longer. To prevent edema, be sure to get out of your seat regularly to walk around or stretch. If you are worried about “popping” ears due to changes in air pressure and altitude, you may want to take a decongestant before your plane takes off.

What about motion sickness? You can experience it on a plane, in a boat, or in a car or other moving vehicle (my sister-in-law is notorious for car-sickness). Over-the counter medications can relieve symptoms of nausea and dizziness. You may also try patches or magnetized wristbands.

You should also protect yourself from foodbourne illnesses, which are common in countries where the food safety restrictions aren’t as strict as they are in the U.S. Be especially careful about salad bars, meats that aren’t thoroughly cooked, buffets, cold desserts and unpasteurized milk. Before you eat at a restaurant, check out the restroom; if it's dirty, the food preparation procedures might be risky as well.

It’s important to get your daily dose of vitamins and minerals, but it can be difficult to find well-balanced meals while traveling. You may also want to consider bringing along a multi-vitamin or other nutritional supplements to round out your dietary needs.

By following the above advice, you can make sure your vacation is one to remember – and for all the good reasons, not the bad!